Seven house plants to help combat coughs and colds this winter!

19 December 2018

Experts have said time and time again that plants have many health benefits when brought indoors. A recent study, said to be carried out by NASA scientists, has revealed a list of the most beneficial house plants to situate in your bedroom to help combat colds and tight chests which can be common in winter and the colder months.

The presence of plants can help reduce airborne pollutants, whilst also reducing stress and anxiety which all round can promote better sleep.

So, what do you need to put on your bedside table to help see you through the winter, potentially cold free? Here's the list:

1. Chamaedorea (Palmer/Areca Palm) - Brilliant for anyone prone to colds and sinus problems because it releases moisture into the air. This, in turn, makes it easier to breathe and 'mops up' pollutants.

2. Aloe Vera - Not only does Aloe look fantastic but it’s super easy to look after needing minimal water. Not only that but the gel inside those fleshy stems can be scraped out and used to ease numerous skin conditions, heal burns and many other common health complaints. Aloe also helps to remove Benzene from the air which is found in paint and cleaning products.

3. English Ivy - Researchers at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that English ivy in particular removes 78 percent of airborne mould in just 12 hours.

4. Gerbera - Gerbera is in the top 7 air purifying plants as not only does it provide a blast of colour but NASA’s Clean Air Study found that Gerbera jamesonii is very effective at cleansing the air of formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene which are all common toxins found in fabrics, IT equipment and the air around us.

5. Peace Lily - This beautiful plant can cleanse air and improve it by 60 percent. It also absorbs mould spores through its leaves and circulates them through to its roots to use as food!

6. Spider Plant - A great choice for anyone new to the world of houseplants. Spider plants are very easy to care for and help to clean the air of common toxins including carbon monoxide and xylene. It is also non-toxic to pets. This houseplant grows super quickly and can remove up to 90 percent of the toxins from the air in your bedroom in just two days. It's especially great for people with dust allergies.

7. Sansevieria - Another plant that removes toxins from the air, in fact, NASA found just one ‘Mother in Laws Tongue’ reduced Benzene levels by over 50% and Trichloroethylene by over 13% in just 24 hours. It's a great plant to have in your bedroom because they are one of the few plants that continue to convert CO2 to oxygen at night time.

To pick your plants to help clean the air of toxins in your home, take a look at the range of houseplants we have in store!